O'Shea and Barrett run the show as CBC reach Munster Schools Senior Cup semi-final

The game, which saw CBC run in eight tries, was played in dense fog at Fitzgerald Park. 

KEY MAN: Charlie O'Shea, CBC, on the attack against Ardscoil Ris in the Munster Schools Senior Cup.  Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Munster Schools Senior Cup: Christian Brothers Cork 52 Ardscoil Ris 13

Christian Brothers Cork have advanced to the semi-finals of the Munster Schools Senior Cup following a comprehensive 52-13 victory over Ardscoil Ris at Fitzgerald Park.

The famed Cork school ran in for eight tries in a game that went ahead despite the dense fog that consumed the home of Thomond RFC.

Out-half Charlie O’Shea was the star on show for Christians with a hat-trick of tries. He also kicked six conversions in an all-action display.

O’Shea was ably backed up by his half back partner Chris Barrett with the pair running the show behind a dominant pack.

Barrett, Alex O’Connell, Billy McCarthy, Michael Trant and Paddy O’Rourke also crossed for tries in the dominant victory.

CBC wasted no time in asserting control in the early stages, making light of the tricky conditions with their opening score on two minutes.

It was Barrett that touched down after sniping from a ruck 45 metres out. He proceeded to beat three would-be tacklers before crossing the try line with O’Shea adding the extras.

Ollie Butler, Ardscoil Ris clearing the ball against CBC in the Munster Schools Senior Cup. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Ardscoil responded with an Ollie Desmond penalty but it was a slight reprieve for the Limerick outfit.

Christians were soon back in full control with slick hands in the backs opening up the Ardscoil defence and O’Connell was on hand to finish off a superb move. O’Shea kicked the conversion to leave the score at 14-3 with 26 minutes played.

Leo O’Reilly was next up to the mark for Christians with a splendid break creating the chance for Billy McCarthy to secure their third try.

Again, O’Shea added the conversion and just before the break it was the Christians 10 that was finishing off for the bonus point try. His conversion then saw the score at 28-3 at the half time break.

Ardscoil got the second half scoring underway with Desmond providing the finishing touch after a period of pressure on the Christians line.

However, it was a brief move away from the trend of the contest with Christians immediately responding.

O’Connell’s superb run through the middle to open the door for O’Shea to nab his second try of the contest. The successful conversion saw Christians 35-8 clear with 44 minutes on the clock.

Trant was next to cross for the Cork side after a powerful lineout maul with Daniel O’Connell bagging Ardscoil’s second try in response.

O’Shea crossed for his hat-trick score in the left corner late on, while O’Rourke completed the rout in the last play of the game to secure a 52-13 victory.

Christian Brothers Cork: L O’Leary; A O’Connell, C Coumane, D O’Callaghan, B McCarthy; C O’Shea, C Barrett; C Fitzgerald, M Trant, S Fitzpatrick; H McCarthy, D Mac Coiltir; I Morton, J O’Callaghan, C Galvin.

Replacements: C Wallace, D Prenter, I Sexton, P O’Rourke, Z Coughlan, S Lavin, Z Seymour, C Mulvihill, C Corkery, C Kilbride.

Ardscoil Ris: D O’Connell; N Jagana, R McCormack, J Thorne, C Quirke; J Butler, O Desmond; D Geaney, P Oyedeji, D Leydon; D O’Flaherty, B O’Loughlin; F Bell, G Murphy, M Browne.

Replacements: C Byrne, T Maher, J Hartigan, L Dissanayake, M Collins, L O’Flanagan, D Quirke, P McDonagh, P Gleeson.

Referee: P Roche (MAR).